SANTA FE, N.M. - TelAve -- [SANTA FE, NM] -- UCLA Health and the Los Angeles Lakers honored an extraordinary young fan, Sophia Roybal Anderson, as Laker For A Day during the Doubleheader #268, featuring the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings vs. Oregon Ducks on February 8th, 2025.

More on TelAve News

• Fromms Pest Control Launches New User-Friendly Website to Enhance Customer Experience
• Promising New Investments and Joint Venture Agreement for Wedding Photography & Light Show Projects in China: Golden Heaven Group: Stock Symbol: GDHG
• Premier French Drain Installation & Yard Drainage Solutions in Macomb, Wayne, & Oakland County
• The 35th National Conference of Pathology organized
• Amos Scientific Pty Ltd at CMEF 2025 in Shanghai!

Sophia took center court alongside the Laker Girls in her own Lakers dance outfit, sharing her incredible journey of perseverance and strength.

When Sophia was born, she struggled to breathe and was rapidly losing weight. Her doctors in New Mexico diagnosed her with a rare heart defect, leaving her parents with limited local options. Determined to find the best care, Sophia's mothers got in contact with Dr. Gary M. Satou, MD, at UCLA Health, who was ready to see them immediately. They quickly learned flying at high altitudes would be fatal to their newborn, so they drove 17 hours from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to UCLA Health.

Dr. Gary M. Satou, MD, informed Sophia's parents that she needed open heart surgery at five months old and performed a successful 10-and-a-half-hour procedure with Dr. Peyman Benharash, MD, FACS–giving Sophia a second chance at life. After spending 12 days in the hospital, she was discharged and strong enough to go home.

More on TelAve News

• Your State, Your Putter: Innovative State-Shaped Golf Putters Hit The Market Blending Style With Performance
• Genuine Hospitality, LLC Selected to Operate Crowne Plaza Chicago – Northbrook, IL
• Breaking Barriers: The Black Therapy Network is Closing the Mental Health Gap for Black Americans
• AdvisorVault Now Combines Microsoft 365 with their 17a-4 D3P Service
• MSM Advisors CPAs and Small Business Advisors Recognized as 'Among the Best of Gwinnett' in 2024

Sophia and her parents return to UCLA Health for annual checkups and feel like they've become part of their family. Today, she is thriving and is now a proud big sister.

To celebrate her strength and spirit, Sophia was welcomed to the Crypto.com Arena by the Laker Girls, where she danced alongside them in her Lakers gear, creating a special memory that she and her family will always remember.

Sophia now explores new places with her family as travel bloggers on Sophie Says Road Trip, where you get to come along their adventures through her eyes.

For more information on sponsoring a trip for Sophia, you can contact Yvette here.

Santa Fe locals can also visit Octane GMC, owned by Yvette, the first women-owned franchise in Santa Fe, for all your vehicle needs.